RAIN INTERFERES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19550, 4 February 1938, Page 10

RAIN INTERFERES

TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS KEEN DOUBLES CONTESTS SEMI-FINALS REACHED ' MORE SURPRISE RESULTS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last night. Rain twice interrupted progress at the annual New Zealand lawn tennis championship tournament at Stanley street courts to-day. The first adjournment was a quarter of an hour only shortly after midday, but the second was-from 2 p.m. until 3.30 p.m. Although the weather was dull and overcast nearly all day, further progress was not interfered with. The day’s play was confined ;to doubles matches, and additional rounds in the men’s and women’s plate competitions.

There was again a good -attendance. E. A. Roussell and R. McL. Ferkins, holders of the New Zealand doubles championship, entered the semi-finals by defeating N. F. Bedford and V. Edwards. A. C. Stedman and D. C. Coombe, and M. T. Wilson and R. W. Smith also won their quarter-final matches. The semi-finals of the women’s doubles were won by the Poole sisters, of Canterbury, and' the Beverley sisters, of Matamata. They will meet in the final to-morrow afternoon.

The .quarter-finalists in the combined doubles are R. W. Smith and Miss D. Cooke, J. Gunn and Miss M. Beverley, Sharpe and Miss Glenny, of Hawke’s Bay, M. T. Wilson and Miss Stewart.

Combined Doubles Play

Bedford and Miss Bedford played splendid tennis to defeat France and Mrs. France in three sets in the combined doubles. In the first set, France dominated, Bedford being a little erratic and .his sister not a's steady as Mrs. France. In the second set, Miss Bedford produced excellent overhead strokes, and then her volleys found many gaps in the opposition. It was not surprising, therefore, to find Bedford come on his game and record an easy victory, 6—l. The third set was more closely contested, both paiFs rising to the occasion, and the many excellent volleying duels pleased the spectators. On one occasion, Miss Bedford and France engaged in a volleying duel and the ball crossed the net 11 times before Miss Bedford won the rally.

Gunn and Miss M. Beverley had an easy win over Bold and Miss Miller. The last-named was active on the court, but al'thought she returned well, she was chiefly on Ihe defensive. Sharpe and Miss Glenny were too good for Penfold and Miss Dickey, the Canterbury girl playing erratically and without concentration.

In the next roupd Smith and Miss P. Cooke were far too good for Dyer and Miss N. Beverley. Miss Cooke has acquired steadiness which allows her partner freedom at the net, and Smith produced his share of fireworks.

Seeded Pair Defeated Wilson and Miss Stewart also won in fine style, but over a more difficult pair, Pearce and Miss Plummer. Pearce hit cleanly overhead and his oartner supported well, but Wilson was not to be denied and Miss Stewart, who plays her best game in combined doubles, did splendidly in the last two sets.

Sharpe and Miss Glenny unexpectedly beat Sturt ,and Miss Macfarlane in three sets, although their play during the past few days has given them many admirers. The exchange of volleys and base-line drives of the \v*omen and the quick net interceptions by the men characterised the first set, which was closely fought, with the Hawke’s Bay pair just in the ascendancy. Sharpe was everywhere -and although not so neat as Sturt in the placement of volleys, was better over--pad. Miss Masfarlane cave him a few chances and it was Miss Glenny’s deep drices which led up to the weak returns on which .he thrived. After Sturt and Miss Macfarlane won the second set at 6 —4, the final set was most interesting. In a tense moment in the last game Sturt attempted an interception, but outed, and with three match noints, Sharpe waited and evenkilled a short lob for the match a't 11—9. Thus another seeded pair went out.

Hard-Hitting Display Gunn and Miss Beverley are the only seeder\>air remaining, and they entered the semi-finals by beating Bedford and Miss Bedford with the loss of one game. Bedford was tired at 'the end of 'the day, but that does not excuse his lack of interest in the game. His sister was allowed to do the running for their side, and performed creditably. Three matches were played in the men’s doubles championship. Stedman and Coombe were not allowed .to do much in the first set against Livingstone and Roach, for the Waikato pair hit hard and their shots went in. While the bombardment took place there was only side about, and experience proved that Stedman and Coombe could not stem the tide. In the second set, the Waikato men became more erratic, but it was a pleasant set to watch. With hard hitting by everybody, all players hit winners, but Stedman and Coombe were more consistent. The last two sets saw 'them forge ahead to lose only two games, but the sets looked better than the scores- indicate. Pattinson and Penfold, of Canterbury, a seeded pair, were beaten in four’sets by the Aucklanders, Wilson and Smith, after an interesting exhibition, in which the winners dominated the net position, this being the deciding factor. Results were as follows: — MEN’S DOUBLES Quarter-finals: —A. C. Stedman (Auckland) and D. C. Coombe (Wellington), beat D. Livingstone and L. Roach (Waikato), 5—7, 6—3, 6—l, C i; M. T. Wilson; and R. W. Smith (Auckland) beat R. ,G. Pattinson and C. Penfold (Canterbury), 6—B, 6—4, (j 2, 6 —2; E. A. Roussell and R. McL. Ferkins (Wellington) beat N. F. Bedford and V. Edwards (Wellington), 6—4,. 6—3, 2—6,7—5. ' WOMEN’S DOUBLES Semi-finals: —Misses I. and T. Poole (Canterbury) beat Misses B. W.

Bishop and P. Cooke 1 Auckland). 60, 6—4; Misses Beverley (Matamata), beat Misses B. Gould (Canterburv) and D. Miller (North Otago), 7 6-1. COMBINED DOUBLES Fourth Round:—Smith and Miss Cooke beat E. C. Dickie (Taranaki) and Miss Griffiths (Auckland), 6—l, 6 —3; Wilson and Miss Stewart beat G. Pearce and Miss Plummer (Wellington), 2—6, 6—4, 6 —3; Gunn and Miss M. Beverley (Matamata) beat Bedford and Miss Bedford (Wellington), 6 —o, 6—l: Sharpe anc! Miss Glenny (Hawke’s Bay) beat N. G. Sturt and Miss Macfarlane (Auckland), 6 —3, 4—6. 11—9. MEN’S PLATE Semi - Finals:—Porter (Auckland), beat Steevens (Poverty Bay), 6—o, 6 —l; M. F. Lees (Matata) beat Falconer (Otago), 7 —5, 5 —7, 6—2. WOMEN’S PLATE Quarter-Finals: —Miss R. Taylor (Auckland), won by default from Miss M. Dickie (Taranaki); Mrs. Milburn (Hawke’s Bay), beat Miss M. Hodges (Auckland), I—C, 6 —4, 6—4; Miss K. Armstrong (Canterbury), beat Mrs. France (Wellington), 6 —3, 6 —l.